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Rochford tree protest: Schools ask developer to reopen consultation

Jamie Niblock/BBC Claire Richardson, acting head teacher at Holt Farm Junior SchoolJamie Niblock/BBC
Claire Richardson says the school would "welcome" the opportunity to discuss alternative road layouts

Head teachers have urged a property developer to go back to the drawing board over plans for a junction outside a school.

The principals at Holt Farm Infant and Junior schools, in Rochford, Essex, are worried the new layout could lead to an accident involving a child.

Protesters have occupied a nearby oak tree, which was due to be felled during half term, for nearly three weeks.

Developer Bloor Homes is seeking an injunction against the protesters.

Jamie Niblock/BBC An oak tree in Ashingdon Road, Rochford, Essex, which is due to be cut downJamie Niblock/BBC
Protesters estimate the oak tree in Ashingdon Road is more than 100 years old
Jamie Niblock/BBC A protester occupying an oak tree in RochfordJamie Niblock/BBC
Residents say they have had a protester sleeping in the tree since 20 October

The developer has permission, granted by the Planning Inspectorate, to build 662 homes off Ashingdon Road.

It includes felling the oak tree, which protesters believe is more than 100 years old, to make way for the junction.

The road would be widened to three lanes and the "splitter island" would be reduced in size.

Jamie Niblock/BBC Robin Goodier, head teacher at Holt Farm Infant School, Rochford, EssexJamie Niblock/BBC
Robin Goodier is worried about the narrowing of the pathway outside his school

Claire Richardson, acting head teacher at Holt Farm Junior School, said the developer should open a new consultation with residents.

"Worst case scenario is a child is hit and that doesn't even bear thinking about," she said.

"There are ways we can work together, I know, to make it safer."

Jamie Niblock/BBC Simon who has been protesting the felling of an oak tree in RochfordJamie Niblock/BBC
Simon, who is protesting the felling of the oak tree, says "protecting" children is his priority

More than 500 children attend the two schools.

Robin Goodier, head teacher at Holt Farm Infant School, said: "With the restrictions they are going to put in place with the narrowing of that pathway, [it] will make it worse for children."

'Safeguarding children'

Simon, one of the protesters who has been sleeping on a wooden platform in the tree, and who declined to give his surname, said: "While Cecelia [the name given to the tree] is the hero, the campaign is really more about protecting and safeguarding children".

The planning inspectorate, David Wildsmith, noted that the reduced width of the footpath to 3.25m (10.6ft), for a 15m (49ft) stretch, still exceeded the "minimum technical standard for shared footways/cycleways of 3m" (9.8ft).

He said this did not amount to "unacceptable safety problems".

Pegasus Group A new road junction planned for RochfordPegasus Group
An artist impression of how the junction outside the two schools would look
Pegasus Group A development in Rochford designed by Pegasus GroupPegasus Group
The 662-home development was approved after a public inquiry

A spokeswoman for Bloor Homes said the company had consulted with both schools and was still doing so.

She said the development would include a dedicated drop off area for parents, a 20m (66ft) long "pedestrian guard railing" and an "upgraded toucan crossing".

"We take the safety of the children and the wider public very seriously," she added.

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